After what feels like decades, we finally have an iPhone App for satellite radio. But there's obviously a few missing features that leave us hanging. Hell, there's a lot of missing features (didn't uSirius StarPlayr do all of this already? Oh right, that got killed).
Below is a list of what I personally would like to see:
But there's still the opportunity for revisions and improvements. So what features would you like to see in the Sirius XM iPhone App? Tell us in the comments.
6. Alternative purchase options - Yes, iTunes is great, but giving a choice for Amazon MP3 in addition would have been betterThe amazing thing is that many of these features were already included in a player that was built months ago. And like I said in this post, Sirius XM needs to develop an app that was better than uSirius Starplayr - but the state of the online players don't really instill much confidence.
5. Snappier interface - I can't help but to feel that the interface could have been more polished and cleaner looking
4. Lyrics - Did he really just say "excuse me, while I kiss this guy?" I need lyrics so I don't embarrass myself in front of my friends.
3. Album Art - when a song is playing, why can't we get album art? Almost every single music service out there has it, Sirius XM should too.
2. Extended trial period for current subscribers - I get it, it's a revenue stream, but current subscribers need to be thrown a bone and given an extra 30 days. No? How about just the Lifetime subs then?
1. Howard Stern - 'nuff said.
But there's still the opportunity for revisions and improvements. So what features would you like to see in the Sirius XM iPhone App? Tell us in the comments.
It shouldn't surprise anyone that after Melvin's "merge" MONOPOLY scheme siriusxm doesn't care at all what subscribers want or expect.
Paying for radio is for newbs and suckers.
FU Melvin.
Why are we surprised that the official app isn't as good as we had hoped? The whole idea isn't to give you the fully featured XM experience, but to drive new subs to buy radios. It's a nice bonus that we can use it to supplement what we've got, but it'll never be as good as we want it to be.
I hesitate to mention the name of the app/service I use on my Iphone, because I'm afraid Uncle Mel will take away my access to it. It's an excellent alternative though, as it doesn't time out while listening, and i've still got web access. The xmSirius app was never going to be as good as starplayr.
And the newest excuse about Stern not being available in the app because he's "too raunchy?" That's nonsense. I guarantee it's just that Stern is looking for a way to further monetize his show so he can walk away as rich as possible. The same issue that's ultimately going to bankrupt xmSirius.
Oh well. Just hope this thing stays afloat long enough for Ellismate to become the number 1 guy. Hopefully Uncle Mel and Auntie Howard don't put the kibosh on him like they did with the other guys that aspired to the throne.
Armchair analysis is often times just wishful thinking.
Just because something can be done (Stern via uSirius, Pocket Tunes, Wunder Radio, et al) doesn't mean it's legal to do so. Licensing issues, specifically transmission to mobile handsets, is the hold-up. Sirius likely did not negotiate these rights and/or they are exorbitantly high, such that Sirius might only be able to offer Stern on iPhone if ALL customers were charged $13-15/month as opposed to the $3 add-on fee.
7 days is plenty to decide if the service is worthwhile. I paid sight unseen b/c this is cheaper than a car install, and I can take my iPhone anywhere and use however I wish - car, home stereo, portable - all for one low price.
I'll give you the UI. Needs work. Metadata should be large/legible (a problem with nearly all iPhone media apps) and be located where the massive station logos currently display.
Lyrics and Album Art require a license (Muze, AMG, etc.) to acquire/distribute legally. Many apps in the AppStore are not using legal options. A nice-to-have, agreed, but not a deal-killer.
Apple would never allow AmazonMP3, or any other purchase option than iTunes. 'nuff said.
I think you are spot on.
Looking just at the app, I would say it is a 3 or 4 star app.
It just makes no sense to not offer the same channel line up as they have on-line (Howard!).
I have a lifetime subscription, I think all current subscribers should have got a 90 day trial. People with out any subscription should get 30 day.
I think the Management at Sirius missed a big opportunity to get new customers and keep current ones!
even if lifers (like me) got an extra 30 days to try this app, i'm still not going to pay $2.99 a month for high quality when the vast majority of stuff i listen to on sirius is talk programming. if i wanted to listen to music, hello, it's an app on an ipod touch/iphone with ipod capabilities. 192kbs or 128kbs whatever it is is way too highly encoded for my purposes and i am not going to waste my money on that wasted quality.
You don't need Stern - you've got Opie and Anthony!
- They're on every day from 6-11.
- They're funnier.
- THEY WORK ON FRIDAY
- They take ALL the callers - even the haters - to make the show even more funny.
- They're NOT FAKE.
If you aren't listening to O & A, check them out until Stern decides he can fuck a few more dollars out of the subscribers. There's 1-2 comedians on the show daily and you won't leave without laughing...and maybe learning something. Good times.
That is one of the more funny things I have read in a while. "I'm not going to waste my money on that wasted quality."
While it makes sense for your purpose (talk radio) you arent really paying for the streaming quality, you are paying for content quality.
This guy actually is giving a thumbs up on stream quality and sounds confused on what he is paying for.
The app is obviously missing content that differentiates it from other services.
I'm no longer a Stern fan, but how could they not include him? I hope it's not because he is (still) a greedy SOB.
Also, the sports should have been made available on this app and online as well, even if it was a small extra fee. I understand the rights and the monetary involvement, but they should have at least tried.
The other stuff you hit on (Ryan) are spot on.
We are paying a license fee. It should be more than enough to cover album art work and lyrics.
I only agree with offering an extended trial for subscribers. The other 5 things "we" want are totally subjective or impractical.
As another comment said, Apple will never agree to link to another music site. They will never promote the competition. Sirius XM had nothing to do with this.
The interface is fine, in fact it's better than most of the other music apps out there. I can find what I'm looking for easier and quicker than others -- and as far as it being "snappier", I don't know of an app that is as "snappy" as I'd like it to be.
Lyrics and album art? Seriously? This is a totally subjective bit of window-dressing that sounds a little like complaining just to complain.
Howard . . . well, if you love him, it's a problem; if you don't, it's a benefit. I would think that Sirius XM would have him on in a heartbeat if they didn't have whatever issue it is they're having that keeps the channel(s) from being on the app. I also think they'll work it out so he's on the iPhone.
Personally, I am really impressed by the sound quality -- that should be the #1 concern for every music app. Everything sounds better than what comes off the satellites, and it sounds better than some of the other music apps I've tried. I'm enjoying it.
6. Alternative purchase options - Yes, iTunes is great, but giving a choice for Amazon MP3 in addition would have been better
Yeah!!! Like iPhone makers are going to let you use Amazon when they have the iTune store...
Re: "Apple would never allow AmazonMP3, or any other purchase option than iTunes. 'nuff said."
You app can link to all sorts of external web sites for whatever reason. The only limitation I think of is that you *might* have to launch Safari to get to Amazon, which would interrupt your listening. However, linking to iTunes does the same thing.
im loving it all i want know is the belkin charger
The biggest joke is having these O & A fans come on and bash everyone else b/c they want to listen to Howard Stern. I don't have anything against O & A...really never have listened to them or care to. What you all fail to realize is that the VAST majority of Sirius subscribers pay a monthly fee for is Howard Stern.
With Sirius excluding 100/101 from the app lineup it shows either greed or ignorance. For those of you saying that the app is worth it for the "sound quality" of the music: Shut the fuck up! You can get perfect sound quality on AOL radio, Pandora, Free FM + a few others that you can stream music to. On Sirius you have to listen to DJs trying to be funny on what is supposed to be interuption free music stations.
if u want lyrics there are tons of pages where you can find the lyrics of every song evermade even the ones that sirius dont play and also what's the use of the album art??? u want all that??? sure lets put it on and get ur subs price a couple of bucks up im pretty sure u all assholes would luv that so then u have another reason to bitch about and keep the service anyways, so far i think that the app is just fine and like someone else said if howard is not there is only and issue for the stern fans...the service is good...keep or leave it, this is not a life or death decition
Smort it's not very Smart to make excuses to try and justify siriusxm's action's or blame others who have nothing to do with siriusxm's mess. Only a newb and sucker would pay for radio, and worse try to defend siriusxm.
FU Melvin.
If you are listening to Opie and Anthony, you are a loser.
There only thing the sirius xm iPhone app needs is the ability to run in the background.
...and OandA suck
How about something more simple. Channel numbers or a channel number search.
heck, why is there even a need for this...my ipod has a better playlist than siriusFM, and I can go for days without repetition...i wish i can say i can go for a day without repetition on SiriusFM
to those who come with the "who wants to listen to the same old songs that are on your ipod" i have a few things
1) siriusFM seems to play the same old songs anytime i turn it on
2)if you are that bored with the music on your ipod...then i really have to question your musical tastes.
i did a good job of discovering new music on my own without terrestrial before XM...and I am doing a good job without it now that my XM listening has decreased significantly.
Just because it can be done (StarPlayr), doesn't mean it's legal!
Most of the comments made in this article would be good additions to the App and my guess is that SXM will make some of these changes in updates, but many of these requests are legal issues:
Howard: No Mobile Rights (he's the only missing channel from online so we have to assume they want him on the service and he for some reason won't allow it)
Album Art: They can't just write a script to grab images from the web (like StarPlayr), they have to have legit licensing from the labels (and that costs money) Hopefully, like the Howard thing, they can work out the appropriate licensing deals.
Lyrics: Same deal, scripts work great, but they aren't legal and we don't want SXM fighting any more legal battles.
Give Access To Free Streamers: This one I don't get. Probably not a legal issue but it is my understanding that people who wanted to continue to receive the Free streaming product could lock-in and keep their existing product. (to the best of my knowledge, no one is forcing them to upgrade from that crappy 32K product) Now, it sounds like they are mad about locking-in and keeping their product because they want the new product. I don't know of many companies that give perpetual free upgrades on their products.
Personally, given the stupid legal constraints, I think this is a great little app. In fact, I'm using it now! And I do hope they can work out some if not all of these issues in future releases.
The main feature I think the app is lacking is working on the blackberry platform. You know, more people own blackberries than iPhones on more carriers. Just tossing that out there.
Are you kidding me? I'm irate that they have the audacity to charge an additional 3$ for using this app every month... I've got the "basic" streaming service and they want to charge me more? Bah... this is just another reason why SiriXM needs to reassess its model... From an original CD Radio shareholder, I think its crap.
Gary Dell'abate posted on his twitter that Stern is not on the iphone app because it infringes on his deal with OnDemand.
I agree , with what someone said on xmfan.com . I think once they start collecting this royalty fee in July , you're going to see the good music come out , and you're going to see the music channels improve .
Just because it can be done (StarPlayr), doesn't mean it's legal!
Most of the comments made in this article would be good additions to the App and my guess is that SXM will make some of these changes in updates, but many of these requests are legal issues:
Howard: No Mobile Rights (he's the only missing channel from online so we have to assume they want him on the service and he for some reason won't allow it)
Album Art: They can't just write a script to grab images from the web (like StarPlayr), they have to have legit licensing from the labels (and that costs money) Hopefully, like the Howard thing, they can work out the appropriate licensing deals.
Lyrics: Same deal, scripts work great, but they aren't legal and we don't want SXM fighting any more legal battles.
Give Access To Free Streamers: This one I don't get. Probably not a legal issue but it is my understanding that people who wanted to continue to receive the Free streaming product could lock-in and keep their existing product. (to the best of my knowledge, no one is forcing them to upgrade from that crappy 32K product) Now, it sounds like they are mad about locking-in and keeping their product because they want the new product. I don't know of many companies that give perpetual free upgrades on their products.
Personally, given the stupid legal constraints, I think this is a great little app. In fact, I'm using it now! And I do hope they can work out some if not all of these issues in future releases.
The iPhone app doesn't need music art. That would slow the connection down using edge. That is why pandora sucks so bad. When using edge and sometimes 3g there is a pause between each song and depending on your signal can be upto a minute. Ones who want this are ones with out iPhones. I say no to music art, that art i will get if I purchase the song. I really like the application, it blows pandora out exactly because it doent have to buffer between each song.
Re: Album Art/Lyrics/StarPlayr
It's done in almost every other music app, and just because it isnt't done in this thrown together SXM app doesn't mean it's illegal.
So why can everyone EXCEPT Sirius get certain things done business and contact wise?
Conspiracy?
I don't think so.
I think this "app" has it all, and then some.(including internet,ipod-playlists,etc.) Finally, people can get to experience Sirius-Xm for themselves, without having to buy a vehicle, or installing it to their home stereo(this is very nice also.) The service sells itself once you have it for a while... just give it a chance. Finally, I wouldn't give much credence to most of the negative coments on this board. Most seem to be still fighting the tired old Sirius-Xm merger. Those day's are over, and the service is now 10 times better, and will only continue to improve in the future. Try it, and think for yourselves.
F*ck Howard Stern. I listen via a pirated station on the west coast, just heard a caller ask him why he's not on the Sirius/XM iPhone app. He fumbled for an answer...said it was "contractual" until Artie opened his big flap and said it was about MONEY!?!? And why should Apple make all this money off of Howard. Stern fumbled again and basically said, "yeah"........HEY JUST BE STRAIGHT UP WITH YOUR FANS! You are all about honesty, aren't you? I stopped paying for Sirius after no Howard on the iPhone app. Enough is enough. F@ck YOU!
6 things a subscriber wants to see in this iPhone "thingy"???
I'm just one step above the "Jitterbug" cell phone so I really don't have a dog in this hunt but..........
"Rawdog","Area","Soul Town", are still piss poor substitutes for the old XM channels. Then when you throw in yakking DJ's who add nothing to the programs, narrower play lists and basically declining quality in programming in general, it makes no difference how you access it, SiriusXM ain't the great SatRad medium it was prior acquisition/merger.
So I say what difference does it make???
He's right, here's the latest twitter from Baba Booey:
"complicated legal but basically about platform: stiletto is siriusxm, wifi is user equip, but iphone is specific 3rd party w video potential"
He's referring to the contract Stern has with On Demand for his show. Since the iPhone has video capabilites and is a 3rd party device it infringes on the contract.
They'll probably get it worked out soon enough.
So all you ass clowns that blame Howard for just wanting more money can go off into the mountains somewhere and stop bothering everyone.
Think about this..........
I'm a 56 year old caucasian male "Boomer" who has SOME disposable income (Thank THE GOOD LORD)and except for stuff you see on the History,Military,NGC,MSNBC,Discovery,TVLand(which AIN"T what it used to be either.......),etc. my demo is not courted a lot by Madison Avenue(except for "get it up", & prostate pill meds -neither of which I take BTW - not YET anyhow).
However, I do like the ads for Miller High Life (which just happens to be my brand of daily brew). The ads (TV & internet) stress: "A Good Beer for a Good Price". They don't stress "It will get you by till the economy improves" or "a mediocre beer for whatever price we can charge untill we can come up with another scheme to gyp you a buck or two here & there because you suckers lap up every damn lie we put out". You don't see SiriusXM making ANY effort to tout their product except for some iPhone app or things like that.
Even after Miller was bought out they NEVER let their quality decline.
That's the difference in a company that will stay around through thick & thin vs. a company that takes its customers/consumers for granted.
That says a lot about how a company is run/operated. Miller ain't floundering like SiriusXM is.
Sure wish Ted Turner was boss instead of Mel......
i take exception to your comment about free stream users wanting to get the service. yes i want to stream this through my ipod, but not at the high quality service. i only want access to what i paid for, and that includes the 32k stream. and this is the problem. i already paid for a lifetime subscription so that i wouldn't have to pay anymore, but yet in order to use the official app, i have to pay extra for it. i know that i can choose to upgrade the internet streaming service and i choose not to because i don't need that high quality to satisfy my tastes. that means that when i do listen to a music station, the 32k stream is perfectly fine by me.
i would much rather listen to sirius through the official sirius app, but not when as a lifetime subscriber i have to pay for it. those with the lifetime accounts should have at least been given the ability to stream the stations, but only at the lower quality. i can see your point if you are talking about those people who locked in at those lower rates which also included the 32k stream.
speaking of which, also keep in mind that in 3 years, the number of people who will have the ability to get that 32k stream is going to drop exponentially, because i don't think that the same option to lock in the 32k steam will be available. the only ones who would have the service available would be the lifers or stiletto owners (i happen to be both).
Finally. Something Hoo-Hoo Howard can't try to take credit for.
Why isnt Howard on the phones??? I love him but all kikekesteins are alike